拿

拿 (ná) means 'to take, hold, carry, or grab' — anything you do with an object using your hand. It's one of the most common Chinese verbs, covering English 'take,' 'hold,' 'grab,' 'pick up,' 'bring,' and 'carry' depending on context. 我拿一本书 ('I take/grab a book'), 他拿着杯子 ('he's holding a cup'). The character itself is a picture-logic combination: 合 ('combine') over 手 ('hand') = 'bring together in the hand.'

Common uses include 拿来 ('bring here'), 拿走 ('take away'), 拿出 ('take out'), and the 拿…来说 pattern meaning 'take X for example.' Two contrasts for English speakers: first, Chinese 拿 implies the action is done with the hand, so you don't 拿 a thought or 拿 a class (use 上 for class). Second, for 'take' as in transportation (take a bus), use